heady.

today is the last day to purchase from black phoenix alchemy labs in time for the holidays. i was turned on to their bewitching scents by mlle ghoul ( & they are also mentioned on the acknowledgements page of erin's book, 'the night circus'!( also another great gift idea) ) and haven't looked back since, though i spent most of my life loyal to a certain egyptian musk oil. when i was young i read once somewhere that a lady should always wear the same scent, nail-polish color and should always drink the same cocktail. always. in this way these little rituals become potent signatures. however, scents also have the marvelous power of transporting you, completely cocooning you in the skin of a new aesthetic or experience. they can reel you into the past like a snare, conjuring memories of the murky past. 

with hundreds of scents inspired by alice in wonderland, the last unicorn and shakespeare amongst others, and no way to experience/smell them in person, one must rely on the incredible names, ideas & writing when choosing a scent. for those a little gun shy, they offer small vials for testing called imp ears. while picking one from this large well of exotic and hypnotizing offerings may seem daunting, here is a list of the scents i've been dying to try :

1. limited edition: old moon

2. snake oil.  a cocktail of indonesian oils and our favorite aphrodisiac: vanilla. 

3. arcana.  the essence of the arcane. 

4. slippery poppy tincture. recommended for mediums & to strengthen the astral body !

5. vasilissa. she herself had cheeks like blood and milk and grew every day more and more beautiful.

6. iago. fated leather & musk.

7. hecate. no explanation needed.